court news stories on Newser

Student Sues to Wear 'Jesus No Homophobe' Shirt

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:07:00 CDT

A gay student is suing his Ohio high school for the right to wear a T-shirt saying "Jesus is not a homophobe." The Lambda legal organization filed the suit on behalf of Maverick Couch, 16, arguing the ban on the shirt violates his right to free speech, and flies in...

Court Trend: Defendants in Fake Glasses

Matt Cantor — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:48:43 CDT

A guy in glasses wouldn't hurt a fly, right? That's what some defense lawyers hope people believe when they tell their clients to wear specs to trial. These days, thick-framed non-prescription "hipster" glasses are all the rage in court, the Washington Post reports. "If you’re wearing glasses, you don’t look...

Rodman a Broke, Sick Alcoholic, Court Told

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:00:00 CDT

Basketball's clownish bad boy Dennis Rodman is broke and an "extremely sick" alcoholic, his financial adviser revealed in court. Rodman, 51, was warned by an Orange County commissioner yesterday that he faces 20 days in jail for contempt of court if he doesn't pay $860,000 in alimony and child...

Weatherman Sues CBS for Sex Discrimination

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:15:00 CDT

A San Diego weatherman is suing CBS for sex and age discrimination. Kyle Hunter , who works for Fox 5, claims his job applications have been ignored by KCBS and KCAL in Los Angeles because he's not a 20-something female, reports the Daily Mail . Hunter, 40, is seeking unspecified damages for...

Pet Court Cracks Down on Furry Delinquents

Dustin Lushing — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:10:58 CST

Every dog has its day, sometimes its day in court. At least in San Antonio, where the city has set up a unique legal enterprise: a court just for pets, where transgressions of the law involving dogs, cats, and other animals are tried, reports the Wall Street Journal . The 10-month-old...

Twitter Ordered to Spill on Tweeters Tied to WikiLeaks

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:25:05 CST

In a key case concerning online privacy rights, a federal court has ordered Twitter to turn over information on three tweeters believed linked to WikiLeaks documents. The Justice Department had sought information on the trio, including IP addresses, which could be used to track down their computers without a warrant....

Amanda Knox Edges Closer to Freedom

Mary Papenfuss — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:16:00 CDT

Amanda Knox can almost see daylight. Court developments in her murder trial appeal are all falling her way, strongly indicating that she could soon be released. Even the once-confident prosecution is prepared for the case to go either way, reports ABC News . "The judge and his assistant are clearly against...

Family Fights US Mint Over Rare Coins

Luke Kelly-Clyne — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:22:35 CDT

A Philadelphia family is going head-to-head with the US government in a legal battle over ownership of 10 rare "double-eagle" coins worth $20 each when minted, and now valued in the millions. The coins were first produced by the US Mint in 1933 but never distributed. All but two were...

Mom: Britney Mentally Unsound

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 16 May 2011 05:24:57 CDT

Remember crazy Britney Spears? She seems to have been tootling along rather well. But apparently she's still a tad mentally incapacitated. That's what her parents are arguing in court as they battle a lawsuit from booted manager Sam Lutfi, reports KSFM . He's suing Brit's mom, Lynne, for defamation for writing...